WA Police say the public was instrumental in finding a missing teenager on the state's south coast.
Esperance teenager Bailee Day was found alive and well in bushland east of Norseman at about 1.30pm today, following an extensive land and air search.
She had been missing since the early hours of Tuesday morning and a white Toyota HiLux, believed to have been driven by her, was located at a campground 75 kilometres east of Norseman.
Goldfields-Esperance Superintendent Steven Thompson said travellers helped find the teenager, after she approached them at Eyre Highway rest stops.
"She had approached a couple of members of the public, seeking some water," he said.
"They had assisted her and then the information was subsequently passed to us.
"I'd like to thank the public for that. We appealed and the public came and responded to us and provided information.
"And that's what led to us recovering Bailee."
Senior Sergeant Russell Hurst said he was relieved to have a positive outcome.
"At the end of yesterday, I'll be honest, it was looking quite hard," he said.
"A lot of time out by herself, seventeen years old, in the bush, limited supplies.
"Certainly there was some trying circumstances."
Local police were joined at the scene by officers trained in tracking from the tactical response group, as well as mounted units and members of the State Emergency Service.
Police also used drones to scour the bushland surrounding the campsite.
Significant resources
Regional WA Police Commander Brad Sorrell said significant resources had been deployed for the search.
"Obviously a 17-year-old young woman alone in the remote outback is of serious concern to us and we're going to do everything we can to reunite her with her family and loved ones," he said.
"We don't know at this point of time what Bailee has with her or how long she could potentially survive out there without any support."
The Hilux Bailee was believed to have been driving has been located on Eyre Highway, the national route that runs from Norseman to the Eucla and into South Australia.
Expanding search
Police had focused on the area surrounding the campsite, but they say it is possible Bailee continued along the highway on foot.
Kalgoorlie Police Superintendent Stephen Thompson said someone driving along the highway may have seen the teenager or given her a lift.
"It should be quite unusual to see a 17-year-old girl," he said.
"Any of the road houses right along the Eyre Highway, we could even work on the principle that she has been picked up, given a lift and moved along."
